I Want You Back
By: babykelyse
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing save for the plot and Tiliana. Credit goes to Blah-the-sixth for his character Brian…who finally shows up. :)
Author Responses: phantom-brick – Just a taste lol Pansy will be quick to put him in his place, of course. :) shadieladie – Thank you and thanks so much for your offer! I had actually emailed someone to help me beta this, but if I don't hear from them, I'll definitely contact you! Dixie – Thank you, thank you! I pretty much put my life on hold for DH and the tension between Ron and Hermione was just…lovely lol But we all knew they were meant for each other since the first book :) I've got a lot up my sleeve for this story though…it'll be worth it! David Fishwick – Thank you! Hopefully this chapter won't disappoint :)
Four
Pansy knew talking to the sulking blonde about the situation he was in would be useless, but she was determined to talk some seen into him anyway. She watched as their significant others walked over to the bar, and she tried not notice the scowl on Draco's face as he watched several males in the pub make appreciative glances towards his girlfriend.
"You know they wouldn't look at her that way if you'd just tell your respective families that you're seeing each other. Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't found out by now since everyone in school knows."
"When you're a Malfoy, you can make anyone choose silence over their life," Draco stated arrogantly. "And I've talked to Gin several times about telling our parents about the relationship. She wants to wait until she thinks we're ready."
"But I thought you were ready, Draco?"
"I am. It's Ginny that's not ready. I honestly think she's ashamed of our relationship."
"That's absurd. Ginny adores you."
"Yeah, in Hogwarts she does. But what about outside of school? I don't honestly think she'd want to be known as significant other of the Draco Malfoy. And why would she? It's not like my name doesn't have its share of taint behind it."
"Don't talk like that, Draco. Any girl would be proud to have you on her arm, and I know Ginny is more than proud to be with you. Maybe she has her own reasons about not wanting to tell her parents about you yet. Your families are enemies, you know."
"So I keep hearing. I've known that since the day I was born, but it didn't stop me from falling in love with her, did it? It's almost funny because I always felt like I'd be the one protesting telling our parents about the relationship. Now that those tables have turned…it doesn't feel good, Pans."
Pansy felt horrible for what Draco was going through. In all her years of knowing him, seeing him this miserable was disconcerting to her. Even when he'd return from Malfoy Manor, Draco would never look as bothered as he did now.
"Everything is going to work out for the best, Dray. I know it will." Pansy reached out and squeezed her friend's hand…hoping that he and Ginny would cross this hurdle that was preventing them both from truly being happy.
"Cheating on Potter so soon, Pansy?"
Pansy rolled her eyes at the all too familiar voice.
"You'd like for me to do something like that wouldn't you, Brian?"
Pansy turned to look at her cousin, Brian Stratam. His dark brown hair was styled impeccably as usual, his midnight blue eyes alight with mischief, his tall frame standing out amongst most of the crowd.
"Of course I would, dear cousin. Uncle Blayne would probably buy you a planet if you dumped the boy wonder."
"I'd buy her a planet if she did that," Draco chimed in, all traces of his earlier mood gone.
Brian laughed, shaking his head at Draco. They hadn't known each other long, but it was easy for the two arrogant males to become fast friends, much to Pansy's consternation.
"Pansy, you shouldn't frown like that. Aunt Camille would have a fit if her only daughter came home with wrinkles."
Pansy couldn't stop the grin from forming on her lips. As much as she loved/hated Brian, his sense of humor never failed to lift her spirits. She pushed up from her chair and embraced the taller male long and hard, knowing it would disturb him to no end. They weren't the most affectionate of cousins, after all. Once she'd released him, he grinned at her, his expression playful. That wasn't the reaction Pansy was accustomed to.
"Your boyfriend is going to kill me," he stated, still holding Pansy close.
"Wh-"
Pansy never got to finish her question. She was yanked back roughly and before she could even stop him, Harry had moved in front of Brian, his face livid.
"I don't know who the bloody hell you are, but you'd better keep your fucking hands off my girlfriend!"
Brian, never one to lose his cool, simply stood there, staring down at Harry in amusement.
"Harry…"
"And you! What are you doing hugging someone other than me?"
If Pansy weren't so embarrassed, and somewhat angry at the way Harry was looking at her, she'd laugh at the possessiveness in Harry's voice.
"So I can't be friendly with someone just because we're dating, Harry?" Pansy asked, forgetting about Brian entirely. "I'm not your property, Harry. I'll do whatever the bloody hell I want!"
Pansy was seeing red. Not only was Harry accusing her of practically cheating on him, but he actually thought he could dictate to her what she could do! No way in hell would she allow him to think such a thing.
"You will not! You're mine, Pansy. No one else is allowed to touch you but me!"
Brian watched the scene unfold before him with an impassive gaze. He'd never understand why people couldn't just ask their significant others about situations rather than assume the worst. As his cousin and her boyfriend continued arguing, Brian decided to sit and watch as the couple bickered back and forth.
"Harry, you're being stupid! Do you think so lowly of me that you'd assume I'd flirt with some other bloke when I'm with you? What about…" Pansy stopped herself, casting a quick glance behind her where her cousin sat. She didn't want Brian to find out about the baby just yet.
"This has got to be the most stupid argument I've ever seen," Brian said, his eyes on Harry.
"Who asked you?" Harry snarled out, moving forward.
"Did you even think to ask Pansy who I was before you charged over here, ready to hex me into oblivion?"
Harry's mouth moved, but no words came out. He cast a glance at Pansy, who simply looked back at him, her expression sad.
"Fine. Who is he, Pansy?"
"My cousin." She answered, before walking out of the pub.
--
Ron was still at a loss for words at the bomb Hermione had dropped on him. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him? What brought that on?
"I know that came off as really strong, Ron, but I want to be honest with you."
"I, um…'Mione this is some really heavy stuff you're talking about here."
"I know. I guess the situation with Harry and Pansy had me thinking a lot about our future and what we're going to do after Hogwarts."
Ron took Hermione gently by the arm and steered her over to a nearby bench. He knew they were supposed to be meeting Harry at the pub, but that could wait.
"Hermione…I think the announcement Parkinson dropped on us has made everybody bloody mad, to be honest. Gin and Malfoy are concerned about parents, Harry is concerned about being a good father, and I don't even care what Zabini and Luna are up to. We're only seventeen, 'Mione. We don't have to make such a big decision right now. Honestly, I think we should wait a while before we decide to move to the next step in our relationship."
Hermione looked away, her expression hurt. "I know this is freaking you out, Ron." She started only to be stopped by Ron.
"It's not freaking me out. I just don't think we're ready for that next step. We've only been together for a few months, 'Mione. I don't feel like we've been together long enough to start talking about marriage. What if you find you don't like my snoring years down the road?"
"I don't like it now," Hermione laughed, swiping a piece of hair out of her face.
"You know what I mean," Ron teased. "Let's not make any rash decisions we'll regret later. I love you 'Mione. You know I do, but I just want us to be…together. Is that okay?"
"Being anywhere with you is okay with me, Ron." Hermione answered. Ron smiled widely at her and placed a quick, chaste kiss on her lips before he pulled her up.
"Let's get to the pub before Harry sends out a search party for us."
Ron and Hermione made their way over to the pub just in time to see a visibly upset Pansy Parkinson leave out, Ginny close on her heels. Hermione grabbed the younger girl's arms, stalling her from going after Pansy.
"Gin…what happened?" Hermione questioned.
"Harry made an arse of himself, getting jealous over nothing," Ginny explained, exasperation heavy in her voice.
"It probably wasn't over nothing," Ron muttered underneath his breath. Both girls glared at the tall red-head and he held his hands up in surrender.
"I need to go find her before she does something rash," Ginny said, ignoring her brother.
"I'll go with you." Hermione's declaration surprised herself as well as Ron and Ginny.
"Really?" They both said, much to Hermione's amusement.
"Yes, really. She's a part of Harry's life, and you've gotten close to her as well, Gin. I think it'd be in the best interest of us all to try and get along with one another seeing as I don't think Malfoy or Pansy is going anywhere."
"Well I will never get along with Malfoy, but I'll try with Parkinson. I'm not making any promises though," Ron said to the two girls.
"That's really big of you," Ginny said sarcastically. "We can talk about this later. We need to find Pansy."
Hermione nodded and placed a quick kiss on Ron's lips before following the younger red-head in search for Pansy. Ron merely sighed as he watched them walk off. He'd never understand females. He made his way into the pub and spotted Harry quickly. Surprisingly, he was sitting at a table with Malfoy and another bloke he'd never seen before. Harry's head was hanging low, and the dark-headed male beside him was speaking with Malfoy.
"Do I even want to know what went on here?" Ron questioned once he'd reached the table.
"Well that's easy," the still unknown male spoke up. "Your friend here is stupid enough to jump to completely wrong conclusions before even asking questions. Why Pansy is dealing with you, I'll never know."
"And you are?" Ron trailed off, already disliking the git.
"Bored." He responded.
Ron rolled his eyes, settling down in the seat across from Harry.
"Then why are you still here?" Ron questioned.
"I enjoy seeing Potter in misery," was the snooty response. "And I'm still waiting to see if he'll get his arse up and go after my cousin."
"You're Pansy's cousin?"
"You can't hear very well, can you?" The boy said, looking over at Ron.
Ron sputtered, at a loss for words.
"Just leave it, mate." Harry finally spoke up. "There's no winning with him."
"I'm glad to see you've finally caught on to that, Potter." Brian smirked. "Now are you going to go talk to Pansy, or do we have to sit here and watch you wallow in misery all day? I have better things to do, you know."
"Then why aren't you doing them?" Ron asked nastily, already fed up with this cousin of Parkinson's.
"Last time I checked this was a free country, red-boy. I can do what I want."
"My name isn't red-boy!" Ron nearly screamed.
"And how was I supposed to know that?"
Ron felt like his head was going to explode. It was like dealing with Malfoy, only ten times worse. He wondered if he was related to the bloody Malfoys as well. It wouldn't be a big surprise.
"Weasley, you're looking like an overripe tomato," Draco drawled out, finally deciding to join the conversation. "If you puff up anymore, you just might blow that empty head of yours to bits."
"Fuck off, Malfoy." Ron snarled. To hell with getting along with that git. He may be involved with his baby sister, but there was no way in Hades that Ron would ever like the albino ferret.
"Very eloquent," was the response from the other git. "It's a wonder that Hogwarts even produces competent witches and wizards."
"I'll show you competent!" Ron pulled out his wand, only to have plucked from his hands and into the stranger's.
"Cute," he smirked, fingering the wand. "Unfortunately I accomplished non-verbals in my fourth year."
"Do you enjoy torturing people?" Harry questioned, eyeing Pansy's cousin with immense dislike.
"Yes. Especially you. Tell me something. How do you expect to go up against Voldemort if you can't even handle a simple relationship?"
"How I deal with my relationship is no business of yours," Harry retorted.
"That's my cousin you just let run out of here," Brian said calmly. "It's every bit of my business."
"Why do you even care?" Harry said, slumping back in his seat.
"You're not very bright are you?" Brian questioned. "If a simple little argument like that gets you as pathetic as you are right now, I'd hate to see what an even bigger blowout would do to you. Especially if it happens during the battle with Voldemort."
Harry scoffed at Brian's words, but deep down he knew the other boy was right. What would happen if he and Pansy had an argument during the war? Would he be distracted enough to make a fatal mistake? He didn't want to think of the consequences.
"I hate to break up this little 'watch Potter wallow in his self-deserved misery' love-fest, but it's about time I get going, Brian. We leave for Hogwarts in a few minutes."
"I'll walk with you. I was supposed to be at Hogwarts this morning, but I got sidetracked."
"Really?" Draco asked. "Why were you supposed to be at Hogwarts?"
"I'm transferring."
"Oh, great." Ron said, rolling his eyes. "So you mean this isn't the end of your 'pleasurable' company?"
"And who said I'd even be in your company, red-boy?" Brian asked, dismissing Ron with a wave of his hand.
"I told you, you bloody git, my name isn't red-boy!"
"I don't particularly care what your name is," Brian said, without looking at Ron.
"Why are you transferring so late?" Draco asked, completely ignoring Ron.
"You know how Pansy's father is," Brian laughed. "He wants me to keep an eye on her and make sure wonder-boy treats her right."
"Why the hell would Pansy's father send you?" Harry asked, staring Brian down. "She's never even mentioned you before."
"Why wouldn't he?" Brian retorted, standing up. "It's obvious that he wasn't too far off in his worries. Somehow I don't think this is the first time you've hurt my cousin's feelings by being a complete idiot. You think she's going to stay with you if you keep going like this?"
"Pansy loves me."
"I'll never understand why," Brian stated. "Sooner or later you're going to fuck things up so badly that she'll never want to see or speak to you again."
"That would never happen." Harry said, confident in his answer. Sure he and Pansy had been through tough times, but they only came out stronger because of it.
"Keep telling yourself that, Potter. But I suggest you heed my warning. Your obvious lack of intelligence and jealous nature will be the downfall of your relationship with my cousin."
--
Ginny would have laughed at the situation between Harry, Pansy and her cousin had she not seen the hurt look on Pansy's face. Shooting Draco a quick look, Ginny rushed after the girl and surprisingly picked up Hermione along the way. The two girls were now sitting on either side of the Slytherin girl, trying to cheer her up.
"I don't know what to do anymore," Pansy said miserably. "We just can't get this right."
"Don't talk like that, Pansy," Ginny reasoned. "You know how males are. They're jealous of anything that breathes near their girlfriend."
"It's not just about today, Gin. Harry and I didn't even start off right. We hated each other before, remember?"
"So did Draco and me. But we made it work."
"Ginny's right, Pansy. Ron and I didn't exactly get along the first time we met, and even now we have our moments."
"I think what you and Harry need is some time to yourselves. You've been around each other a lot lately. Maybe you just need some breathing room."
"Maybe you're right, Gin. This whole baby thing has put a strain on our relationship."
"You don't…regret the baby, do you?" Ginny asked cautiously.
"Gods, no! I love the baby. But ever since I told Harry about the pregnancy, he's been acting differently. Even after we talked, I still feel tension around us."
"I don't think it has anything to do with you, Pansy." Hermione spoke up. "With graduation and the war coming up…I think Harry is taking a lot of responsibility on his shoulders."
"He'd take on the responsibilities of everyone if he could," Pansy laughed. She rubbed her growing midsection absentmindedly as she stared off in the distance.
"It's like he doesn't know how to unwind." Pansy finally said, turning back to the two girls. "And then when everything gets to be too much for him, he just snaps. I honestly don't think the argument between us today had anything to do with Brian."
"Me either," Ginny said. "Who knows what was going on through Harry's head when he acted the way he did."
"I wish I knew what was going on in that thick head of his," Pansy said. "As many heart-to-heart talks we've had in our entire relationship, you'd think I'd know everything there is about Harry Potter."
"Harry's really good at keeping things to himself," Hermione spoke. "When his godfather, Sirius, was killed we couldn't get him to say anything to any of us. He just shut down."
"I wish he wouldn't do that," Pansy said, looking down. "I want him to trust me enough to tell me anything. I tell him everything."
"He does trust you, Pansy." Ginny stressed. "He just isn't good at expressing himself. It's like pulling teeth trying to get Harry to open up unless he's angry. He's so much like Draco; I'm surprised they aren't related."
"Don't tell them that," Pansy warned. "If they even thought for one second they were alike, they'd probably go into shock."
The three girls laughed, thinking about the reactions of the two boys.
"Just give it time, Pansy. I'm sure you and Harry can work this out. Everything will be fine."
"I hope you're right, Hermione. I can't handle this back and forth thing with Harry. Let's get out of here. We have to be back at Hogwarts in a few minutes."
The three girls made their way back towards the Leaky Cauldron. Once they'd reached their destination, Hermione said her farewells and made her way back over to where Ron was standing with Harry. Ginny spotted Draco ahead with Pansy's cousin, but made no move to go towards them.
"You want me to stay with you until we get back to Hogwarts?" She asked.
Pansy smiled, touched at the girl's thoughtfulness.
"No, it's alright. Harry and I need to hash this out sooner than later. I think I'll take your advice and tell him we need to take some time away from each other. It couldn't hurt things, could it?"
"I don't think so. He's not going to like it at first, but he'll thank you for it later."
Ginny squeezed Pansy's hand and made her way over to Draco, pausing to smile at Brian before the couple headed off. Pansy walked up to Brian, but before she could say a word, he began speaking.
"Before you say anything, I didn't hex your little boyfriend or curse him, but I did have a nice chat with him."
"What did you say?" Pansy asked suspiciously.
"What he needed to hear. Don't worry about it. A little head's up…I'm transferring to Hogwarts."
"My father asked you to keep an eye on me, didn't he?"
"Maybe. See you."
Pansy rolled her eyes at Brian's antics, but she felt a small smile creep up on her face. Things around Hogwarts would be interesting for the last month with her cousin around. And Tiliana would have no objections to his sudden transfer. Pansy felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to Harry's regret-filled eyes. She held a finger to his lips when he began to speak.
"Before you say anything, I need to tell you something Harry. What happened earlier had me thinking a lot. Ever since I told you about the baby, you've been acting differently. I know it's a big change in both of our lives, and it's probably freaking you out a lot more than you're letting on."
"No, Pans…"
"Please, Harry. Let me finish. We've been around each other so much; I don't think we know how to function without one another. That's not something I think is healthy. We need to take a break from each other, Harry. You need to remember yourself, and I need to remember me. I think it'd be for the best."
"You're breaking up with me?" Harry asked incredulously.
"No, I'm not." Pansy sighed. "We just need to take a break from each other. If we keep going like this, I'm scared that we'll end up hating each other."
"I can change, Pansy."
"I don't want you to change, Harry. Don't ever think that. You're perfect the way you are, jealousy and all."
Harry smiled, but it was bittersweet.
"There's no changing your mind."
Pansy shook her head sadly, and rushed into Harry's arms when he held them out. She breathed in his scent, not knowing how she'd be able to stay away from him at all.
"It'll only be for a little while," she mumbled. "Just until graduation and then we can have an amazing summer with my parents and your surrogate parents."
"That's an entire month!" Harry groaned. "I can't even see you?"
"I didn't say that," Pansy teased, looking up at Harry. "We'll only see each other at meal times, in class, and randomly in the hall. Just like old times."
"That sounds fun," Harry said sarcastically. "In the old times we hated each other, remember?"
"That was our loss. Besides, we changed our opinion about each other, didn't we?"
Harry smiled, remembering how they'd gone about changing their opinions. "I guess you're right, Pans. Maybe it would be best if we had a break from each other. I don't like it, but I'm willing to go along with it to make you happy."
"It'll be good for the both of us, I promise. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Pansy lay her head back on Harry's chest, savoring the feeling of being in his arms. She could get through the month with only seeing Harry at the bare minimum. Or so she kept telling herself.
"We can still snog though, right?" Harry asked.
--
A/N: Thank Tokio Hotel (my latest band obsession) and Panic at the Disco for having this out lol I wasn't sure about putting that last part up, but I decided to go ahead with it. The poll is picking up, guys! Keep it up…I take the input extremely serious. So, finals are coming up next week, so there may not be an update until the week after next. It all depends on how much I can get written in advance. As of right now, I have about 47 pages written, which is way behind what I wanted to have written. But I'm taking a break from studying today to get some more pages written out, so hopefully I'll have over 50 written by sometime tonight. Anyway, I think that's all I have to ramble on about…my brain is dead, so I won't remember anyway lol You know the drill: Read, review, and as always…enjoy! Ciao!